Gracie 'Grace' Mae (Willey) Nelson, 84, of Newark, Ohio, died Saturday afternoon, March 30, 2024 at the Selma Markowitz Care Center operated by Hospice of Central Ohio.

Born March 27, 1940 in Newark, Ohio she was the daughter of the late George W. and Opal B. (Cornell) Willey. She retired as a Cook from Heath Nursing Home.

Grace was an accomplished cook and everyone especially loved her homemade Chicken Egg Noodles. She was an avid reader; she crocheted, sewed, and created crafts. Her very favorite thing in the world was shopping for bargains and then eating at Bob Evans afterwards.

Surviving is two sons, Floyd E. Nelson of Newark, Ohio; Carl A. (Donna) Nelson of Punta Gorda, Florida; one daughter, Cheryl J. Kirkpatrick of Newark, Ohio; two sisters, Ruth Eppert of Melbourne, Florida; Carol (Fritz) Franks, Heath, Ohio; 8 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Carl E Nelson; two brothers;  two sisters; one nephew; one son in-law; and one grandson.

A Celebration of Life Memorial will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the Newark Chapel of Vensil & Chute Funeral Home, 1850 West Main Street, Newark, Ohio with Chaplain Brian Humphreys officiating.

Private interment will be at Wilson Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Licking County Aging (Meals on Wheels) Program, Hospice of Central Ohio, or Catholic Social Services.